http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-29400166
No problem with councillors changing allegiance IF they become REAL Independents. However, many Councillors who supposedly jump ship actually vote totally with their former party all the time once they are re-elected or new independents suddenly find they really always believe in everything the majority party believes in but didn’t realise until after they were elected.
This means that when Committees are formed that must have proportional representation (for example, an Overview and Scrutiny Committee) the Leader chooses the “Independents” who used to be in his party and they then form a majority that votes together. So, an “Independent” could chair an Overview and Scrutiny Committee (it has to be someone not from the majority party) when he or she is really a majority party sympathiser.
There is no suggestion that this is happening in Teignbridge but, if any party becomes toxic, it is a common occurence – it happens a lot in Wales for some reason!
We all know who the REAL independents are: the ones who started out that way!
East Devon Watch 
Actually, there are probably other ways to determine who is a REAL independent:
1. They speak their mind. They listen to and represent the interests of their ward electorates. They campaign.
2. Their views are based on their internal values, so they stay consistent over time rather than follow party lines or blow with the wind and say what they think people want to hear.
3. Because they believe that people should be able to speak their mind, they support openness, transparency, public speaking and democracy.
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